Coastal States Organization represents the 35 U.S. Coastal States, Territories & Commonwealths on ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resource issues.

"In 2010, 123.3 million people, or 39 percent of the nation's population lived in counties directly on the shoreline." Source: National Ocean Service - February 2014

"Research from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has shown that every dollar spent on prehazard mitigation measures for insured real estate averts $4 in post-disaster recovery costs." Source: Center for American Progress April, 2015

"In 2007, port activity contributed more than $3.15 trillion to the Gross Domestic Product, while 13.3 million Americans worked in port-related jobs that generated nearly $650 billion in annual personal income and $212.4 billion in federal, state and local taxes." Source: American Association of Port Authorities, 2013

"The resilience of our marine ecosystems and coastal communities depend on healthy marine species, including protected species such as whales, sea turtles, corals, and salmon." Source: NOAA Fisheries

"America’s coastal counties produce nearly half of U.S. economic output while taking up less than 10 percent of its land area. And they continue to grow faster in population than the nation as a whole. Put simply, America’s coasts are a pillar of success and vitality for the entire nation." Source: Center for American Progress, April 2015